04/10/2023

Report suggests six riders could join Jumbo-Visma, Soudal - Quick-Step | Yves Lampaert a request of Wout van Aert

Jumbo-Visma has lost a very important classics rider in Nathan van Hooydonck who has had to retire following a heart attack, and Wout van Aert may have found a perfect replacement. Among those who could join the Jumbo-Visma/Soudal - Quick-Step merger is Yves Lampaert, requensted by the Belgian.

“I saw that you had fun with me in the room. But to immediately take over the team is very drastic. Wout had a good laugh about it," Lampaert told Wielerflits. The two teamed up at the European Championships and the Jumbo-Visma rider was keen on bringing in the 32-year old into his support block. A former winner of Dwars door Vlaanderen, Classic Brugge-De Panne, and Tour de France yellow jersey wearer, Lampaert is one of the most experienced classics riders in the field.

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Wielerflits reports that van Aert has made the request to bring in Lampaert specifically. He currently holds a contract into 2025 with Soudal - Quick-Step, but if the team is to be dissolved those will no longer be in effect, and he could become one of the new riders for this new team. It is also said that six riders from Quick-Step could be joining the team and that there is the clear goal to sign Remco Evenepoel and some of his right-hand men, although this is far from a likely scenario at the present time.